A MAJOR road safety campaign has been launched to drive home to motorists the dangers of breaking the 30mph speed limit on roads lit by streetlights.

There were 143 pedestrians – including 42 children – killed or seriously injured (KSI) in North Wales in the last two years.

Around 118,820 motorists were caught speeding across Wales between January and December 2011 within a 30mph zone. Streetlights Mean 30! is intended to educate motorists about the effect on someone who is hit at 40mph compared to 30mph.

Figures from Welsh Government and the DfT (Department for Transport) show that if someone is struck at 40mph, there is a 31% chance they will die, but hit at 30mph, there is a 93% chance they will live.

The campaign is being orchestrated across Wales by GoSafe – the Wales Road Casualty Reduction Partnership, which works to improve road safety to reduce casualties on Welsh roads. Launched with the support of the DVLA, it will promote the message via posters, leaflets, a website and promotional items.

Jim Moore, manager of GoSafe, said: “Through this campaign, GoSafe intends to get across a simple message to help drivers identify and stay within 30mph speed limits – if there are streetlights, don’t go over 30 mph.